Just the one monk seal

A Hawaiian Monk seal rests at Upolu, Hawaii

I saw this Hawaiian Monk Seal resting at Upolu earlier this year. So what qualifies her for Becky’s Squares: Seven? (See more responses here.) Nothing obvious in the top photo, but let’s take a closer look. A couple of scars, one of which looks a bit like a 7, but probably not that.

Scars on a Hawaiian Monk seal at Upolu, Hawaii

Hmmm. Too hard to figure out how many whiskers we’ve got here.

A Hawaiian Monk seal rests at Upolu, Hawaii

Ah, here we go. The tag on the flipper is M37. This is a prime way for researchers to track seals around the islands. I posted a photo of her with an M36 tag, but this one would have been in the other tail flipper.

Tag on a Hawaiian Monk seal at Upolu, Hawaii

14 thoughts on “Just the one monk seal”

  7. lifelessons's avatarlifelessons

    I wonder if they notice and worry about the “additions” to their bodies. Guess it is for a good cause, but I always hate seeing the tags on cattle’s ears and this little alteration of nature as well, whichI accept is in their good interest.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      I’m not wild about tags and trackers either. Trackers are usually designed to fall off within a certain time, but tags stay on unless they break. I think the tags are the least of the seals’ worries and the information they can provide, from sightings, is very helpful in understanding more about their activities.

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